Steelers' Recent Success In Drafting Receivers Makes Waiting On Veteran Signing Affordable

The Pittsburgh Steelers have yet to find their second starting wide receiver to catch passes from newly-acquired quarterback Russell Wilson. Aside from George Pickens, the Steelers currently have a wide receiver room that has a boatload of depth, but none of which should be catching the majority of passes behind Pickens. The Steelers have not signed or traded for any starting wide outs thus far into the offseason, but the Steelers' history of drafting receivers well should provide a bit of relief. 

After trading star route-runner Diontae Johnson to the Carolina Panthers, the Steelers are only left with Pickens who is capable of being a starting wide out. Pittsburgh has recently picked up a plethora of depth pieces in free agency, who all bring valuable abilities. Van Jefferson, Quez Watkins, and most recently, Cordarrelle Patterson, who is a running back now, but started off his career as a wideout, all were signed by the Steelers. 

In recent years, the Steelers have drafted Pickens, Johnson, Chase Claypool, JuJu Smith-Schuster, and Martavis Bryant, who have all had big years with Pittsburgh. In 2010, the Steelers also managed to land Emmanuel Sanders and Antonio Brown in the same draft. 

Given the Steelers' success in the draft process, NFL analyst Aditi Kinkhabwala believes there's no rush in signing another receiver, as she was featured on 93.7 The Fan. 

"I think that the Steelers have the ability to sit and wait a little bit and see what they can do in the draft. I think there's a lot of institutional confidence in their ability to draft wide receivers, and as we know, wide receiver is truly an easy position to have an immediate impact as a rookie. I think there's no urgency to rush right now and lock yourself into a veteran player."

The 2024 NFL draft class is loaded with receivers. There are 10 wideouts that are nearly in PFF's top 50 on their Big Board Rank, giving the Steelers plenty of options to choose from. Aside from receiver, the Steelers need more help on the offensive line at center and tackle. Receiver will be one of the Steelers' top priorities draft night, so look to see if they select one in the first couple rounds. Along with Pickens and the new additions, the Steelers also have a young receiver in Calvin Austin III who is looking to prove himself this season. 

Steelers’ Leftover Options In Free Agency

If the Steelers somehow are unable to land a quality receiver within the first few rounds, what route could the Steelers then take? Receivers like Tyler Boyd or Hunter Renfrow are the most appealing options remaining in free agency, who both have experience as starters. Renfrow just caught for over a hundred catches just a couple of seasons ago, and Boyd has proven himself as a consistent pass catcher and reliable target. Both of them would be solid fits to the Steelers' new look offense in 2024. 

Pittsburgh was set to meet with Mike Williams, unfortunately he reached a deal with the New York Jets. The Steelers are not left with a lot of options, unless they decide to make a trade. There were rumors looming that the Steelers have been in talks for acquiring Brandon Aiyuk, but those reports were shut down. 

The Steelers are in a spot where they almost have to nail the draft and need to find the right receiver that can blossom into a starter. Pittsburgh will be a run focus offense anyhow, so having a room full of number three or four games may not be too bad. Still, you want a guy Wilson can trust to make a play. Steelers Nation has confidence that they will draft a talented wide out that help take this offense to the next level.

What do you think? Will the Steelers draft another stud wide receiver? Or will the Steelers have to look further into free agency after the draft? Let us know in the comments.

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